Israel Adesanya

Israel Adesanya, known as “The Last Stylebender,” is one of the most electrifying fighters in UFC history and a former middleweight champion. Born in Lagos, Nigeria, Adesanya moved to New Zealand with his family at age 10 and grew up in Rotorua before settling in Auckland. He began training in kickboxing as a teenager and compiled an impressive 75-5 professional kickboxing record before transitioning to mixed martial arts.

Adesanya made his professional MMA debut in 2012 and quickly built a reputation for his striking brilliance and flashy style. He signed with the UFC in 2018 and went on an incredible undefeated run, defeating established contenders like Anderson Silva, Kelvin Gastelum, and Robert Whittaker. He won the interim middleweight title against Gastelum in what many consider one of the greatest UFC fights ever, then unified the belt by defeating Whittaker at UFC 243 in front of over 57,000 fans in Melbourne, Australia.

As champion, Adesanya became one of the UFC’s biggest pay-per-view draws and highest-paid fighters. He successfully defended his middleweight title multiple times against top contenders including Yoel Romero, Paulo Costa, and Marvin Vettori. His only setback during his reign was a move up to light heavyweight where he lost to Jan Blachowicz. He eventually lost the middleweight title to Alex Pereira, his longtime kickboxing rival, but reclaimed it in a dramatic rematch before losing it again.

With a net worth estimated at $8 million, Adesanya’s earnings come primarily from UFC fight purses, pay-per-view bonuses, and endorsement deals with brands like Puma and Engage MMA. He is also known for his elaborate walkouts, anime-inspired persona, and strong social media presence. Based in Auckland, New Zealand, where he trains at City Kickboxing, Adesanya has helped put New Zealand MMA on the global map.